Fluid pulsator



April 24, 1945. Jf. KERRY 2,374,437

FLUID PULSATOR i Filed June 12, 1.942

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Y am 2? Patented Apr, 24, 194e` John R.- Kerrylalatine, 111.,"assgn`r to The House of Vision,-Belgard-Spero, Indi, Chicago;

Ill., aeorporaton of Delaware `Ammanin Junehiz, 1942gserial No. 446:19? y j i lower `portion thereof,v the frame being `supported i Claims.

- .This invention relates to a iluidpulsatoraand more particularly to a pulsator for converting a steadyl flow of fluid medium `underconstant pressureintoapulsating current or ow of the desired frequency. o

object ofthe invention; is to provide a device for ,periodically iinterrupting`v the flow of `fluid medi-um `from a constantpressuresource to provideagplllsatmg currentof the medium. Another object is to provide in a fluid pulsator, means for releasingthe `pressure, in the line of thepulsator when the flow ofiimedium therethrough lisinterrupted` yStil-l another object is to provideza pulsatormechanism for selectively varying-thefrequenoy ofthe pulsations of fluid mediunriwhich areprodueed., I i t l t c `Anotherobject of the invention is to provideA a mechanism `wherein the ow of ll-uidA ymedium from a pressure sourceis interrupted andsmultaneously with the interruption of the ow,the `pressure is released in theline of the pulsator, and inthe same mechanism to provide a structure Whereinthe pressure `in the line of the pulsator is `used cooperate `the same. Yet anotherobject iste provide t ai rtoggle mechanism for eliminating any lag in the shiftingA of the valve mechanism by which the pulsations are produced` A iurther object is to provide in a fluid pulsator, a. cylinder receivingK the pressure of the line of the pulsator to operatev the same, and an auxiliary valvek for controlling the 110W of medium to and from the cylinder and thereby toI regulate the frequency of the-pulsations." mi if t Gthep features and advantages will appear from the followingtspecincation and drawing,l in whichf'- t t I. is a sdeelevati'onal View, partlyn section, snowing the pulsator mechanism; and Fig. 2

i'safragmentary vievv, similar to Fig. 1 but show-- the toggle mechanism and main valve in a di'e'rent positionu` l i l i The invention contemplates the conversion of a flow of fluid medium under .constant pressure into a pulsating current or stream of the medium wherein' the pressure in the line of the pulsator is released between impulses. l With this device, it

' ispossible to operate a pump or the like `which is actuated bya pulsating current of uidmed'lum and in which the pressure must be reieased between impulses of the medium'.` In accordance with the invention, the pulsatoifwill produceimpulses ot4 fluid medium of any' desiredfrequency.

in* the specie@ embodiment of the `invention described `herein,the pulsator includes a frame inlanysuitable manner (not shown), intake conduit l2 carrying. a sourceql of t fluid` medium, preferably under constant pressure, communicates with the small conduit- |13 whiohfleadsto the valve Hh The valveisprovidedwith `a. rotatable core l5 which islequipped ywith a passage I6 extending therethrough and with a second passage IT communicating with i,l le\ y passage ,t6 at; larr anale "theretogfthe angle between the passages preferably being in theneighborhood of Ait one end` lathe passage VNiisbroadened to provide communication between the passage |18 andthe conduit I9 ineach: oithetwo` positions to which the valve maybe; shifted.` The valve I4 is also provided with an outlet passage zlieading to an,esca-pe'baille21h` The conduit IIS communicantes` with an'outlet conduit lwhich receives the pulsating stream of, fluid medium provided bythe valvei i i m When the valve is in positionv shown: Fig. 1t., the fluid. mediumxunder constant; pressure is introduced through the conduit l2', than through the conduit is; then througnfthe passage I6', into conduits'm and it.' Wnen-Jtnevalve-isshifted tothe position shownA in nigllzttire passage from tneconduit I3 is closedso that the fluid medium maynottenter the valve, andthefoutletbpassage 20 isi brought into commuriieatioir witntne con; duitfl through the enlarged? portion .|81 of the passage is and the-passages time valve M1. In this way; the'A pressure in the conduits tsl and 22' relieved ley-escape ofthe medium through the escape-baille 22k.

`@enanas 2s einen communicate with the @one dui-t 22S, thefc'onduit* leading to a pump (not shown? or other means'forutilizing the pulsating stream of fluid medium, andthe conduit 23 leadmg through `a 'controlling valve 2'5 of conventional construction toy a cylinder 276. The cylinder Wis supported upon av-platellg'whiclr-i-r-r turn is` mounted upon the seits 2licarried` by` the transverse plate H1 on the frame? le, Suitableleclr nuts 29 may be used to* secure the bolts-I8' to the plate 21, and similar lock' nutsf securetnebolts 28 to t construction suitable `forproviding afluid'tight' seal` the" cylirrd'n proffers.bly, theip's'tol is equipped with packing 32,U or other 'sealing means.

in equipped ivi-ruiv a transverse plate ri arme 55 'ljthepit'onf meyjbes''uted asaft" 33; which the bane 2|.

in turn extends through the lower end of the cylinder and is carried bythe plate 34.

The plate 34 is equipped with openings for slidably receiving the bolts 28 and may also be provided with sleeves 35 for spacing the plate 34 from the plate 21. Springs 36 about the bolts 28 engage the undersurface of the plate 34 and urge the plate upwardly, the lower ends of the springs being in engagement with the nuts 31 on the bolts 28. The plate 34 is equipped with a depending arm 38 secured thereto and extending down-H wardly along the frame I0. The arm 38 is provided with a notch 39 open at one side within which is received an arm 48 of a toggle mechanism, the arm 40 being pivotally mounted at 4I on the frame I0, A pair of stop lugs 42 andS, preferably equipped with resilient pads 44 and 45 respectively, are arranged to limit the vertical movement of the arm 40.

The arm 40' of the toggle mechanism is preferablyequipped with an enlarged head 46 which is adapted to -be engaged at the upper and lower edges by the arm 38. The head 46 on the arm 40 is preferably equipped with a bifurcated portion providing jaws 41 and 48 for engaging an arm 48 which is secured to the core I5 of the Valve I4.l

A rod 58 carrying a spring 5I and equipped at its end with a head 52 is adapted to exert pressure on the arm 40 toward the pivot 4 I. The toggle arm 40 is equipped with a lug 53 for receiving the head'52 on the rod 50. i Y

In operation, the fluid medium is 'received in the conduit I2 under constant pressure from any suitablesource (not shown) The huid medium passesthrough the conduit I3 and, as seen in Fig. l, flows through the passage l.I6 of the valve memberaI4 into the conduit I'9 and thence to the conduits 22, 23 and24. From `the conduit 24, the fluid'medium is delivered to la. pump or other means for utilizing the pulsating current oflluid medium.` The 'uid medium passing through the conduit 2,3'passes intoy the cylinder 26 .and exerts y a downward pressure on the piston 3 I, forcing the piston and the plate 7.34, to which it is secured, downwardly against .the urging of the springs 36. When the piston 3| is moved downwardly in the cylinder 26, the depending member 38 carried by the plate 34 also moves downwardly untilthe wall 54 at the upper portion of the notch 39 in the member is v'brought into `engagement with the enlarged head olf'the toggle arm 48. The member 38 contnuesztopmove downwardly and carries the arm 48 downwardly until the arm 4 0 Vis downwhich point the urging of the spring 5 I causes the arm .4U/4to snap quickly to lthe lower position shown in Fig. 2. The jaw 41 of the head 46 on the arm 40 is not brought intok engagement with the arm 49 connected to .the core of thevalve member luntil the arm 40 is about to be quickly snapped into its lower position. l v

When the arm 40 is moved to the vlower position shown in Fig. 2, the core I5 ofthe valve I4 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein the fluid medium introduced through the conduits I2 and I3 is prevented from passing through the v alvemember,` andthe passages I8 and I1 communicate respectively with the conduit I9-and passage 2Il`to permit the pressure in the conduit I9 to be released by escape of the medium through As-soon as the pressure is released in the conduit I9, 'the'pressure in the line 24 .of the pulsator is'released, land also the pressure 'in the conduit 23 is released. This releases the pressure on the wardly inclined with respect to the pivot 4I, at

piston 3I in the cylinder 26 and permits the springs 36 to urge the plate 34 and piston 3I carried thereby upwardly toward the position shown in Fig. l. When the plate 34 is moved upwardly, the member 38 is moved until the wall 55 at the lower portion of the notch 33 is brought into engagement with the head 46 of the toggle arm 48. Further upward movement of the member 38 causes the arm 40 to be moved upwardly until it is in a position wherein it is inclined upwardly with respect to the pvot 4I, at which point the spring 5I quickly snaps the arm 40 to its upward position shown in Fig. 1. The arm 49 is not engaged by the jaw 48 until the arm 4l) is about to be snapped to upward position. When the toggle arm 40 is moved to upward position, the core I5 of the valve member I4 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 1, and pressure is again require av considerable period of time for su'cient I pressure to be exertedon the piston 3| to move it to itslower position. Similarly, if the medium escapes -through the valve 25 only at a very slow rate, the pressure will not be released rapidlyin the cylinder 26, and the piston 3I will be moved upwardly by springs 36 only at a very slow rate.

Any suitable type of iluid medium maybe used with the pulsator, although compressed air is normally to be preferred. Preferably, the source of fluid medium is accurately controlled so that the medium is delivered to the conduit I2 under substantially constant pressure. Although the invention has been described Ai connection with a ,specic embodiment, it will be understood that this is for the purposes of illustration only and that changes and modications f municaticn between said source and said conduit so as to permit the building up of pressure in said conduit and in another position interrupting said communication and simultaneously providing an outlet for releasing pressure in said outlet conduit, conduit means for withdrawing fluid from said outlet conduit in response tofluid pressure within said outlet conduit, means actuated by a predetermined amount of the fluid withdrawn by said .conduit means for moving the valve means to the latter position, and means for automatically moving the valve means to the former .position when the fluid pressure in the outlet. conduit is released. v

2. 'Aluid pulsator, comprising a source offfluid medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said fiuid medium and. so constructed that pressure is ca'- pable of being'built up therein, valve means interposed between said source and said outlet conduit,` said valve means in `one position providing communication between said source and said conl aar-4,4m

duitso as to permit the building upfoi pressure in said conduit 'and in another` position interrupting said communication and simultaneously providingl` an outlet for releasing' pressure in said outlet conduit, toggle mechanism for shifting the valveimeans from one position `to the other, means operated by the nuid pressure` in the outlet conduit for-- actuating theftoggle mechanism to shift the valve: means and interrupt said communication, and means, operative when thepressureis released inthe outlet conduit, fory automatically actuating the toggle mechanism to shift the valve meansl and bring said source into communication withsaidconduit. l o i 1 A- uid pulsator, comprising afsource-er iiuid medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said fluid medi-um and so constructed that pressureis capable oiibeing `built up therein, valve means interposed between said` sourceand saidV outlet conduit, said valve means-in one position providing communication between said source and saidconduit so `as to permit the building up of pressure in said conduit and in another `position interrupting said' communication and simultaneously 'providing an outlet for `releasing the pressure insaid; outlet conduit, toggle mechanism for yshifting the valve means from one position to the other, a, cylinder communicating at one end with said outlet conduit', a piston supported in fluidtight engagement with the inside of the cylinder and mounted for reciprocation therein, said piston being connected to the toggle mechanism whereby, when the piston is advanced, the toggle mechanism is actuated and the valve means is shifted to said last-mentioned position, and means, for continuously urging the piston to its original position whereby when the pressure is released in the outlet conduit the piston is returned to its original position and the toggle mechanism actuated to shift the valve means to said mst-mentioned position.

4. A uid pulsator, comprising a Source` of iluid medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said uid medium and so'constructed that pressure is ca-` pable of being built up therein, valve means interposed between said source and said outlet conduit, said valve means in one position providing communication between said source and said conduit so as to permit the building up of pressure in said conduit and in another position interrupting said communication and simultaneously providing an outlet for releasing the pressure in said outlet conduit, toggle mechanism for4 shifting the valve `means from one position to the other, a cylinder communicating at its head with said outlet conduit, a piston supported in fluidytight engagement with the inside of the cylinder and mounted for reciprocation therein, said piston being connected to said toggle mechanism whereby, when the piston is advanced from the head of the cylinder by pressure in said outlet conduit, the toggle mechanism is actuated and the valve means is shifted to said last-mentioned position, and spring means for urging the piston toward the head of the cylinder whereby, when the pressure is released in the outlet conduit, said piston moves toward the head of the cylinder and the toggle mechanism is actuated to shift the valve means to said first-mentioned position.

5. A uid pulsator, comprising a source of uid medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said fluid medium and so constructed that pressure is capable of being built up therein, valve means interposed between said source and said outlet conduit;` saidJ valvemeans` in one `position providing communicationbetween said source and' said conl duit-,so as to permit the' building up of pressure in said conduit and in another position inter-V rupting saidcommunicaton and simultaneouslyproviding fan outlet forlreleasing the pressure iin saidoutlet4 conduit, toggle mechanism for shittingfsaidlvalveymeans from one positionrto the other, a conduit communicating with saidoutlet` i advanced by pressure in said outlet cond-uit,` `the toggle mechanism is actuated` and the-valve `nmans is; shifted to saidf last-mentioned position, mean-s, for continuously urging the piston toward fits. originalvposition whereby when pressureis released theou-tletA conduit said piston moves toward its original position and` the toggle mechanismis actuated to shift the valve means to saidwirst-mentioneolI position, andi adjustable valwe Vmeans" in the conduit communicatingwith the cylinder for controlling the ilovv of fluid meduim to-and from the cylinder for regulating the freqnencyof the shiftinggof` position of said firstmentionect valve means.

6.` A fluid pulsator; comprising a constant' pressure sourceV of.I compressedy air, an outlet-conduit for receiving the air and so constructed that presl sure is capable of being built up therein, a movable valve member interposed between said source s and said conduit, said member in one position providing communication between said source and said conduit so as to permit the building up of pressure in said conduit and in another position interrupting said communication and providing an outlet for releasing the pressure in said conduit, toggle mechanism for engaging said valve member to shift the same from one position to the other, an auxiliary conduit communicating with said outlet conduit, a cylinder connected at its head to said auxiliary conduit, a piston received within said cylinder in air-tight relation therewith and mounted for reciprocating movement therein, said piston being connected in operative relation with said toggle mechanism whereby, when the piston is advanced in the cylinder by pressure in said outlet conduit,` the toggle mechanism is actuated to shift the valve member to said last-mentioned position, and when the piston is returned to the head of the cylinder, the toggle mechanism is actuated to shift the valve member to said first-mentioned position, spring means for urging the piston toward the head of the cylinder against the `pressure of air admitted through the auxiliary conduit, said spring means exerting on the piston less pressure than the air admitted through the' auxiliary conduit whereby the piston is moved `to the head of the cylinder only when the pressure is released in the auxiliary conduit, and an adjustable valve member in the auxiliary conduit for controlling the rate of now of air to and from the cylinder whereby the frequency of the pulsator may be varied.

7. A pulsator comprising a source of gaseous medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said gaseous medium and so constructed that pressure is capable of being built up therein, valve means interposed between said source and said outlet conduit, said valve means inlone position-providing communication between said source and said conduit so as to permit the building up of pres.

sure in said conduit and in another position interrupting said communication and simultaneously providing an outlet for instantaneously releasing pressure in said outlet conduit, conduit means for withdrawing gas fromsaid outlet conduit in response to gas pressure Within said outlet conduit, means actuated by a predetermined amount of the gas withdrawn by saidconduit means for moving the valve means to the latter position, means for automatically moving the valve means to the former position when the gas pressure in the outlet conduit is released, and adjustable means for controlling the frequency of the movement of the valve means from one position to the other.

8. A pulsator comprising a source of gaseous medium, an outlet conduit for receiving said gaseous medium and so constructed that pressure is .capable of being built up therein, valve means interposed between said source and said outlet conduit, said valve means in one position providing communication between said source and saidconduit so as to permit the building up of pressure in said conduit and in another position interrupting said communication and simultaneously providing an outlet for instantaneously releasing pressure in said outlet conduit, means actuated by the gas pressure in the outlet conduit for moving the valve means to the latter position, and spring means compressed by said gas pressure for moving the valve means to the former position when the gas pressure in the outlet conduit is released.

9. A fluid pulsator comprising a source of fluid, an outlet conduit for receiving said fluid", valve means interposedpbetween said source and said outlet conduit, valve means which in 'one position provides communication between said source and said conduit and which in another position interrupts said communication and provides an outlet for iiuid from said conduit, and means for controlling the positioning of said valve means, said control means including a conduit in communication with said outlet conduit and having a restriction therein which restriction controls the rate of flow of fluid into said control means from said outlet conduit when said valve means is in said one position, and means operable when a predetermined quantity of iluid passes from said outlet conduit through said restriction for shifting said valve means to said last-mentioned position. y

10. A uid pulsator as set forth in claim 9 including means for adjusting said restriction to permit a greater or lesser -ow of fluid therethrough at a given outlet conduit pressure so as to permit adjustment of the interval of fluid flow.

f JOHN R. KERRY. 

